Getting into a headspace for writing about personal experiences was something I grappled with for this project. However, all throughout the semester I never stopped thinking about this project: what I wanted to say, and what I wanted to do with it.

 

I have always tried to make my creative-writing personal. I am an emotional person, my friends and family will tell you this, but I wanted to capture my emotion on the page for this project. I wanted to evoke strong feelings from my audience(s) and therefore found haven in evoking the same emotions from myself. Although some times were painful, it was something I needed to do for myself and for the ones I love.

 

I was able to get into a good mindset for writing by flipping through old photo albums my grandma lent to me. Even if the pictures were about family members who were not included in this project I was still able to evoke feelings I was looking for. 

 

Particularly, flipping through my grandma’s old childhood photo album really made the creative juices flow. I would spend maybe a half an hour to a full hour just flipping through the pages, reminiscing on memories from my Grandma’s old house. I lived in the realm of memories and stories whilst writing my letters. 

 

As of my writing and publishing this project, my grandma, mom and sister are still with me. However my Dad is not. And so, while I may receive responses from the three, I will never hear from the fourth. I know this, I mean how can you not, right? but I still did receive a response. One which came from within me. 

 

On some days, I would grab my gross worn-out Michigan blanket, a cup of coffee, something to snack on, and get right into it. There is never a great time to write, especially if you are a student. Writing should never be rushed, but it should also operate at a steady pace. I think I was able to achieve this maxim for this project, and I know I will apply this process with other projects.

 

Although this process has its flaws: like when it is 11:47pm on a Saturday night and you get the sudden urge to write; it has provided me with some kind of structure, which I look forward to perpetually tweaking my process so that I can learn more, be more efficient, and create better writing.